TV Stars: 4 Media Streamers Tested and Rated

TV Stars: 4 Media Streamers Tested and Rated

Basics:

What do these boxes offer that connected TVs and game consoles don't?
Lower cost. Whether you're connecting through a web-enabled flatscreen, a PS3, or a streamer, you're going to get stuff like Netflix, YouTube, and Hulu, with up to 1080p resolution and support for 5.1 surround. But if you're not a gamer and you'd rather not replace your old HDTV, standalone streamers will give you all that for less than $100.

Do they have built-in storage?Most don't. And those that do tend to be more expensive and often reserve the storage for apps. But unlike most set-top boxes, many media streamers can play content directly from mobile devices. Some come with USB ports for side-loading music and video, while others use wireless protocols like AirPlay or DLNA that piggyback on your Wi-Fi to grab files from a laptop or mobile device. Most can handle common media formats like MP4 (H.264), MKV, AAC, and MP3, though you'll run into problems with specialized formats like VOB or FLAC.

How well do they play with mobile devices?It varies. A few will let you mirror content from tablets and smartphones, so you can not only watch movies and view photos stored on those devices, you can also play mobile games on your TV. All the streamers in this roundup have apps that let you turn your phone into a remote for browsing movies, launching apps, and controlling media playback.

Buying Advice:

If you're more interested in internet media than local content, look for a streamer with an Ethernet port (for speed) and make sure it offers the relevant services -- like Amazon Instant Video and Vudu. Also, remember that your HD picture will be only as good as your bandwidth. Ideally, you'll want a broadband connection of at least 5 Mbps.

Photos by Greg Broom/Wired

Roku 2 XD

How good is this Roku box? Our favorite streamer in the roundup isn't even the best one in Roku's lineup (That'd be the XS). "Best," of course, is really only a meaningless nod to a higher price tag and a handful of extraneous features -- things like an SD card slot and an enhanced remote with motion controls for games. We actually think the $80 XD, despite its lack of a USB port and Angry Birds, is the best value in the lineup.

In the world of dedicated streamers, what matters most is content. And the 1080p XD remains unparalleled in this respect. Not only will you get premium services like Netflix, Vimeo Plus, and HBO Go, but also apps for more obscure offerings, like the anime service Crunchyroll. With the smallest footprint of any unit in the roundup, this 3-ounce box will literally disappear into almost any home theater arrangement.

What you're left with is a simple portal to a vast library of great services and a very strong temptation to cancel your cable or satellite service. One bummer: Even if you don't plan on using premium channels, Roku requires a credit card number to set up an account.

WIRED Clean, simple interface makes navigation a breeze. Smallest unit in this roundup. Can also stream from PCs and Macs with the help of a dedicated Plex app. Simple, straightforward interface for navigating library of more than 500 "channels." Remote now has quick-launch buttons for Netflix, Pandora, and Crackle.

TIRED Only unit in test without an Ethernet port. Still no Vudu!

Apple TV

Released in March, Apple's third-generation puck ($100) retains the form factor of its predecessor while adding 1080p playback. The real draw remains the same, though: seamless integration with iTunes, iCloud, and the rest of the Apple ecosystem. While recent additions, like a dedicated Hulu Plus app, certainly fill in some much needed viewing gaps on the box, it's really AirPlay mirroring via Mountain Lion that unlocks the most exciting streaming options. In short: If it's on your Mac, it can now be on your TV. (Note: Some older Macs aren't AirPlay compatible even if you do upgrade to Mountain Lion.)

AirPlay itself streams music, video, and photos from iPhones and iPads so easily that I've actually done it accidentally. And the ability to play and store movies and music from iCloud is another great added convenience for iTunes users. Of course if you're not iTunes-dependent, you'll still get a sleek icon-based menu and solid lineup of streaming apps like Netflix, Hulu Plus and Vimeo. But even with all these recent improvements, there's really no compelling reason to pay $100 unless you're an all-Apple (or mostly-Apple) household.

WIRED AirPlay is tops for wireless streaming and can deliver high-quality audio straight to your home theater. Awesome dedicated app turns your iPhone or iPad into a remote. Easiest setup of the bunch. iTunes store purchases made on the Apple TV can be synced directly to your iPad or laptop.

TIRED Still limited appeal to Android and Windows users. If you TV doesn't have an HDMI port, you're out of luck. Your couch will eat the tiny remote. No ability to customize menu.

Sony NSZ-GS7 with Google TV

Two years after the disastrous Logitech Revue, Google returns for another stab at internet TV, this time partnering with Sony on a standalone box. We can say one thing for sure: With a sleek remote, zippy processor, and fetching (for a streaming device) new curved design, the 1080p NSZ-GS7 ($200) definitely gets the hardware right.

Unfortunately, while Google has worked to simplify the UI, the software is still plagued by bugs and crashes. It took me over an half hour to get the GS7 up and running. And once I did, there were still a bunch of random restarts and freezes.

Even more disappointing is that once again networks like ABC, NBC, Fox, and Comedy Central block streaming video through Google TV's Chrome browser, diminishing the appeal of having a standalone browser to begin with. Strangely, many of the "apps" are really just optimized versions of the actual websites. Add to that a dearth of dedicated streaming apps, and you're left with a pretty box, very little content, and that familiar sour taste of unfulfilled potential.

WIRED Double-sided controller has a clickable touchpad and can function as a universal remote. Quick startup. Ports galore, including Ethernet, two USB, digital optical out, HDMI in and out, and an IR blaster. Will play content from external drives.

TIRED There are better streaming boxes for less than half the price. Web browsing on a TV is still not fun. Glitchy software means that Google TV is still not ready for prime time.

Netgear NeoTV NTV200

If streaming HD content on the cheap is your goal, you won't do much better than Netgear's $50 NTV200. Granted, the NeoTV's library of streaming services isn't quite as expansive as the competition's -- there's no Amazon Instant Video, for example -- but it does have a few advantages over even the more expensive units. Movie buffs will appreciate the Vudu on-demand service as well as full 1080p, which is tough to find at this price point. The $50 Roku LT, for example, is only capable of 720p. The inclusion of an Ethernet port will also come as good news to those with crowded home wireless networks.

Design-wise, the NTV200 is like most other streaming boxes. It's tiny, black, and will seamlessly blend into nearly any home theater setup. There are downsides, though. An uninspired and often unresponsive menu system can make navigating a painfully tedious experience. The two obtrusive ads running along the top of the screen don't make the experience any better. Don't expect to do anything beyond streaming, either. There's no expansion port and, like the Apple TV, you'll only be able connect the NTV200 to a TV via an HDMI cable.